Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F220/00—Copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and only one being terminated by only one carboxyl radical or a salt, anhydride ester, amide, imide or nitrile thereof
  • C08F220/02—Monocarboxylic acids having less than ten carbon atoms; Derivatives thereof
  • C08F220/10—Esters
  • C08F220/12—Esters of monohydric alcohols or phenols
  • C08F220/16—Esters of monohydric alcohols or phenols of phenols or of alcohols containing two or more carbon atoms
  • C08F220/18—Esters of monohydric alcohols or phenols of phenols or of alcohols containing two or more carbon atoms with acrylic or methacrylic acids
  • C08F220/1804—C4-(meth)acrylate, e.g. butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate or tert-butyl (meth)acrylate
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
  • C09J4/00—Adhesives based on organic non-macromolecular compounds having at least one polymerisable carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond ; adhesives, based on monomers of macromolecular compounds of groups C09J183/00 - C09J183/16
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
  • C09J7/00—Adhesives in the form of films or foils
  • C09J7/30—Adhesives in the form of films or foils characterised by the adhesive composition
  • C09J7/38—Pressure-sensitive adhesives [PSA]
  • C09J7/381—Pressure-sensitive adhesives [PSA] based on macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C09J7/385—Acrylic polymers
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/249921—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
  • Y10T428/249953—Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
  • Y10T428/249982—With component specified as adhesive or bonding agent
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/249921—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
  • Y10T428/249953—Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
  • Y10T428/249982—With component specified as adhesive or bonding agent
  • Y10T428/249983—As outermost component
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/28—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/28—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
  • Y10T428/2852—Adhesive compositions
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/28—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
  • Y10T428/2852—Adhesive compositions
  • Y10T428/2878—Adhesive compositions including addition polymer from unsaturated monomer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/28—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
  • Y10T428/2852—Adhesive compositions
  • Y10T428/2878—Adhesive compositions including addition polymer from unsaturated monomer
  • Y10T428/2891—Adhesive compositions including addition polymer from unsaturated monomer including addition polymer from alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid [e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.] Or derivative thereof

Definitions

• the invention relates to pressure-sensitive adhesives having both a high moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and good skin adhesion.
• MVTR moisture vapor transmission rate
• Adhesive laminates used in medical products such as medical tapes, wound care dressings, and consumer bandages need a high MVTR to allow the escape of moisture generated by the skin or by wound exudate.
• a high MVTR of the laminate prevents moisture from being trapped under the dressing, which could otherwise cause maceration of the skin.
• High MVTR films are commercially available, but once coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) they typically exhibit a dramatic drop in MVTR, due to the low MVTR of the adhesive layer. Discontinuous coating of the adhesive can be used to achieve a high MVTR of the laminate, however, the laminate no longer serves as a bacterial barrier, necessary for wound care dressings, and discontinuous coating processes are expensive.
• PSA pressure-sensitive adhesive
• gamma irradiation can diminish the adhesiveness of an MVTR adhesive product.
• the problem is exacerbated if the product is inadvertently (or purposely) exposed to a double dose of radiation, i.e., 50kGy instead of the standard 25kGy dose.
• the adhesive should be able to withstand gamma irradiation sterilization without a substantial loss of adhesive strength.
• the cohesive strength of the adhesive should be sufficiently high to prevent any adhesive residue from being left on the skin upon removal of the adhesive laminate.
• the adhesive also should be skin-friendly and cause no irritation or cytotoxicity.
• PSAs and adhesive constructions characterized by high MVTR and good skin adhesion are provided.
• the PSAs comprise acrylic copolymers formed from a plurality of monomers, and have a composition, glass transition temperature (T P ) and weight-average molecular weight (M w ) that facilitate high MVTR values and good skin adhesion.
• Adhesive constructions i.e., medical tapes, wound care dressings, bandages, and similar products are also provided, and comprise a high MVTR PSA coated on or otherwise applied to a water vapor-permeable backing. 5
• a key advantage of the present invention is the balancing of MVTR and skin adhesion.
• a desirably high MVTR (i.e., greater than or equal to about 1,900 g/m 2 /day, more preferably greater than or equal to 2,000g/m 2 /day) is realized by selecting the monomeric composition and coat weight in the manner described herein. At the same time, excellent skin adhesion is realized through careful control of molecular weight, gel content, and glass 0 transition temperature.
• Fig. 1 is a three-axis plot of monomer composition
• Fig. 2 is a plot showing the effect of adhesive coat weight on MVTR; and Fig. 3 is a plot of MVTR measured by the Mocon test method versus the upright cup test method.
• a water vapor-permeable PSA comprises an acrylic copolymer formed from a plurality of monomers.
• the copolymer is characterized by a MVTR value of at least 1 ,900 grams per square meter per day (g/m 2 /day), more preferably at least 2,000 g/m 2 /day, according to the Mocon test method described below (at a dry coat 5 weight of 25-30g/m 2 ).
• the PSA copolymer When applied to skin, the PSA copolymer exhibits low adhesive edge lift, i.e., 5% or less edge lift when an adhesive laminate made with a Medifilm 390TM high MVTR backing (facestock) is subjected to a skin adhesion test as described below.
• the PSA copolymer exhibits low adhesive edge lift even after 25 kGy gamma irradiation. In a more preferred embodiment, the PSA copolymer exhibits low 0 adhesive edge lift ( ⁇ 5%) after exposure to 25 kGy gamma irradiation and ⁇ 15% edge lift after exposure to 50kG gamma irradiation. The difference ( ⁇ 5% vs ⁇ 15%) is acceptable, as it is generally a rare occurrence for a medical (or other) product to be exposed to a double dose of irradiation during gamma sterilization.
• the acrylic copolymer is formed from a plurality of monomers that comprises, on a percent by weight basis, based on the total weight of monomers, about 5 to 75% butyl acrylate (BA) and/or ethyl acrylate (EA), about 5 to 45%o 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) and/or isooctyl acrylate (IOA), and about 20 to 50% hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA).
• the plurality of monomers also includes up to about 10% of a N-vinyl lactam, for example, N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP).
• the short chain alkyl acrylates i.e., BA and/or EA
• the hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) monomer are important for obtaining a high MVTR.
• the longer chain alkyl acrylates i.e., 2-EHA and/or IOA
• T g glass transition temperature
• carboxylic acid monomers i.e., acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid (MAA), itaconic acid (IA), and ⁇ -carboxyethyl acrylate ( -CEA)
• AA acrylic acid
• MAA methacrylic acid
• IA itaconic acid
• -CEA ⁇ -carboxyethyl acrylate
• carboxylic acid-free PSAs and PSA laminates prepared according to the invention exhibit excellent skin adhesion and show little edge lift, even after 50 kGy gamma ray sterilization.
• Representative acid-free polymer compositions according to the present invention include the
• a high MVTR, low adhesive edge lift PSA can be prepared from a plurality of monomers comprising about 5 to 75% BA (and/or EA), about 5 to 45% 2-EHA (and/or IOA), about 20 to 44% HEA, and a positive amount up to about 6% AA and/or MAA, with the weight-average molecular weight
• minor amounts of other free-radical polymerizable monomers can be included, so long as the resulting copolymer has a T g of from about -25 to -15 C , an d preferably a MVTR of at least about 1,900 g/m 2 /day, more preferably at least 2,000 g/m 2 /day.
• Non-limiting examples of such monomers include vinyl acetate, styrene, acrylonitrile, and 5 acrylamide.
• the relative amounts of the plurality of monomers used sum to 100% by weight, based on the weight of all monomers.
• Fig. 1 shows the relationship between monomer amount, MVTR, and T g for polymers o made from 2-EHA, B A, HEA, and a small amount of AA.
• the three axes represent the concentration of EHA, BA, and HEA, respectively.
• All polymer compositions depicted contain 3% by weight of AA as a fourth monomer, and all compositions are crosslinked with 0.1% by weight of aluminum acetylacetonate (AAA).
• the five data points plotted in the figure correspond to the compositions of Comparative Examples 3-6 and Example 7 5 (described below), and the values associated with each point are the MVTR and T g of each example.
• the data shows that, of the three monomers, HEA has the greatest impact on MVTR. With increasing MVTR, there is a corresponding increase in T g .
• T g There is a relatively small area within the composition map that gives an MVTR greater than 1900g/m 2 /day and a T g low enough to give good adhesion properties. This area is the small 0 shaded triangle within the figure, and includes representative compositions prepared according to the present invention.
• Similar three-axis figures can be prepared for polymers made with EA, IOA, and HEA, polymers made with mixed monomer systems (BA/EA, 2-EHA/IOA, HEA), other acid-containing polymers, polymers containing NVP, etc. 5
• the adhesive copolymer is formed using conventional polymerization techniques, such as solution, emulsion, hot melt, and on-web, UV polymerization.
• the copolymer is prepared by free radical, solution polymerization, in a solvent (or mixture of solvents) in which each of the monomers is soluble.
• Non-limiting examples of such solvents include ethyl acetate, methanol, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, hexane, and isopropyl alcohol.
• Polymerization is initiated using a conventional free radical initiator, for example, persulfates, peroxides, hydroperoxides, and azo compounds such as VAZOTM initiators.
• the amount of initiator used will, of course, affect the molecular weight of the copolymer. In general, polymerization is carried out with about 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of initiator, based on the weight of monomers used. Pilot scale polymerization (and, presumably, commercial scale polymerization) tends to require a lower relative amount of initiator than does laboratory scale polymerization.
• a small amount (i.e., up to about 1%, more preferably less than about 0.5% by weight) of a crosslinker can be added after polymerization to increase the cohesive strength of the polymer and improve the convertibility of the adhesive laminate, without adversely affecting the MVTR.
• a non-limiting example of such an agent is aluminum acetylacetonate (AAA).
• AAA aluminum acetylacetonate
• Crosslinking the polymer also helps reduce adhesive residue when the adhesive is removed from skin.
• Polymer molecular weight and gel content are important properties of the PSA, and should be controlled for optimum performance. In general, low molecular weight polymers are easier to coat, but have less cohesive strength, than high molecular weight polymers. High molecular weight polymers tend to have less tack than low molecular weight polymers.
• gamma irradiation processes used to sterilize adhesive wound care dressings and other products.
• Gamma irradiation of high molecular weight polymers can result in poor skin adhesion (i.e., high % edge lift).
• the effect is particularly noticeable with polymers that contain acid monomers (e.g., acrylic acid) in the polymer formula.
• acid monomers e.g., acrylic acid
• N-vinyl lactams e.g., N-vinyl pyrrolidone
• Adding an antioxidant to the PSA composition also can help reduce the gel-forming effects of gamma irradiation.
• High molecular weight polymers formed with acid monomers also tend to exhibit higher viscosities. This can result in a reduced shelf life and problems with coating.
• Preferred adhesive copolymers according to the present invention have weight- average molecular weights (Mw) of from about 200,000 to 600,000, or even slightly higher, depending on the monomers used to make the copolymers.
• Mw weight- average molecular weights
• the monomer mixture contains acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, it is desirable to keep the polymer M below about
• Non-acid-containing polymers can have higher molecular weights, e.g., as high as 550,000 or even 600,000. Of course, if the resulting PSA will be gamma irradiated, it is desirable to keep the Mw below about 550,000.
• Polymer molecular weight can be controlled by adjusting the amount of initiator and/or solvent used, and/or by adding a chain transfer agent, for example, n-dodecyl mercaptan (n-DDM). After polymerization, the resulting polymer solution can be used to prepare an adhesive laminate or construction using fabrication techniques well known in the art.
• the polymer solution can be coated on a release liner (such as a siliconized paper or film), air- or oven-dried, and then laminated to a flexible backing, i.e., a facestock.
• a release liner such as a siliconized paper or film
• the adhesive solution can be coated directly on a facestock, dried, and then protected with a release liner.
• Self-wound tapes also can be prepared, by coating the PSA copolymer on one side of a tape facestock. (The other side of the facestock is silicone-coated or otherwise treated so that the tape can be wound up on itself without blocking.)
• Nonlimiting examples of conventional PSA coating methods include slot die, air knife, brush, curtain, extrusion, blade, floating knife, gravure, kiss roll, knife-over-blanket, knife-over-roll, offset gravure, reverse roll, reverse-smoothing roll, rod, and squeeze roll coating.
• the adhesive coating is applied at a desirable coat weight (conveniently measured on a dried basis), which generally lies within the range of about 15 to 100 grams per square meter (g/m " or "gsm”), more preferably about 25 to 30 g/m " .
• a desirable coat weight (conveniently measured on a dried basis), which generally lies within the range of about 15 to 100 grams per square meter (g/m " or "gsm"), more preferably about 25 to 30 g/m " .
• the effect of coat weight on MVTR is shown in Fig. 2.
• Samples of an adhesive (Example 2) were coated on a siliconized release liner at dry coat weights of from 13 to 105 g/m " and laminated to a Medifilm 390TM facestock (described below).
• MVTR values (measured according to the Mocon test method) were significantly higher at low coat weights.
• the MVTR for Example 2 is about 2000 to 2200 g/m 2 /day.
• Adhesive laminates suitable for use as medical tapes, wound care dressings, bandages, and similar products are prepared by applying the above-described adhesive copolymer to a flexible facestock having a high MVTR, preferably 4,000g/m /d or higher.
• high MVTR materials include Medifilm 390TM, a one mil thick film from Mylan Technologies, St. Albans, VT, made with Hytrel® 8206 resin, a copolyester thermoplastic elastomer available from Du Pont de Nemours, E.I., Co., Wilmington, DE.
• Medifilm 390TM has a MVTR of 8,000 to 10,000.
• facestocks that have a high MVTR and are commonly used in medical products include polyurethanes film and foams, Pebax® (a polyether block amide resin from Elf Atochem, North America, Philadelphia, PA) and woven or non-woven fabrics.
• the thickness of such high MVTR materials can vary from a few microns up to several millimeters.
• the adhesive can be coated on all or a portion of the facestock. Examples and Test Methods
• T g Polymer glass transition temperatures
• Polymer samples were analyzed by GPC for molecular weight information, prior to any gamma irradiation or elevated temperature aging.
• About 200 mg of wet adhesive was dispersed in 10 mL of solvent, tumbled for 2 to 4 hours, and filtered through a 0.45 micron
• PTFE syringe filter The injection size was 50 ⁇ L. Calibration was against a set of twelve polystyrene standards obtained from Polymer Labs, ranging from 580 to 1,290,000 Da.
• Millenium 32 version 3.0 software from Waters was used with the GPC option. Calibration was done daily and a check sample of SRM 706 polystyrene from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD) was also analyzed daily with each batch of samples.
• a Waters (Milford, MA) 2690 pumping system was used with a Waters 410 refractive index detector. The columns were three Plgel Mixed-C 300 mm x 7.5 mm with a
• Gel content is a measure of the amount of polymer that is insoluble in tetrahydrofuran
• THF THF
• Relative viscosity is measured as the ratio of outflow time for (i) a 2.22% (solids-by-solids) solution of the adhesive polymer in ethyl acetate to (ii) pure ethyl acetate, measured using an Oswald-Fensche No. 50 viscometer at 20°C.
• RV Relative viscosity
• the moisture-vapor transmission rate is the rate at which moisture permeates a dressing, film, or other construction, generally measured in grams per square meter per day (g/m 2 /day).
• Different methods for measuring MVTR include the Mocon method, the upright method for low moisture contact (indirect liquid contact with the dressing), and the inverted method for high moisture contact (direct liquid contact with the dressing).
• MVTR by Mocon is measured according to INDA Standard 70.4(99).
• An adhesive laminate is prepared by coating the adhesive on a silicone release liner and drying in a 70°C oven for 15 minutes.
• the adhesive is laminated to a high MVTR facestock (typically, Medifilm 390TM), removed from the release liner, and laminated to a second high MVTR facestock.
• the target coat weight of the adhesive is 25 to 30 g/m " , on a dry basis.
• the sample is tested using the Permatran-W ® Model 100K instrument available from Mocon (Minneapolis, MN). The sample is conditioned for 15 minutes at 38°C. Each sample is tested six times and the standard deviation is typically 50g/m /day.
• MVTR by cup method is measured according to Water Method of ASTM E96-94 at 40°C and 20% relative humidity over a 24 hour period.
• the sample tested is a 25-30 g/m 2 (dry weight) adhesive layer on a single high MVTR facestock.
• the cups have a 25cm 2 area opening and are available from BYK-Gardner, Inc. (Silver Spring, MD).
• BYK-Gardner, Inc. Standard Spring, MD
• Strips of the adhesive laminates were cut into 0.5 X 4 inch samples and applied to the inside forearms often volunteers after cleansing their skin with isopropanol and allowing it to air dry. The samples were applied with fmger pressure and without stretching the strip. The samples were checked after a 24 hour period and evaluated for edge lift as a percentage of the total area of the test strips. The sample was manually removed and the skin was checked for any remaining adhesive residue. The amount of residue (none, low, medium, or high) was rated on a scale of 0-3. Gamma Ray Sterilization
• gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide (EtO) gas are commonly used, low- temperature processes for rendering medical products sterile.
• Steam sterilization is generally an undesirable method for sterilizing PSAs, because of the high temperatures and high levels of moisture involved.
• EtO sterilization generally does not affect the properties or performance of PSA constructions. It is known, however, that at higher radiation dosages (50kGy or higher) gamma irradiation may result in slightly lower peel adhesion values, with the potential for the adhesive welding to the release-liner. Antioxidants can be added to minimize the effects of irradiation.
• the adhesive was coated at an approximate coat weight of 25 g/m2 (1.0 mil) onto a silicone coated release liner and then laminated to a 2mil Mylar facestock, forming a laminate construction.
• the resulting construction was die-cut into 25 x 204 mm (1 x 8 in) sized strips.
• the strips were then applied centered along the lengthwise direction to 50 x 152 mm (2 x 6 in) brightly annealed, highly polished stainless steel test panels and rolled down using a 2 kg (4.5 lb.), 5.45 pli 65 shore "A" rubber- faced roller, rolling back and forth once, at a rate of 30 cm/min (12 in/min).
• the samples were conditioned for either 15 min. or 24 hours in a controlled environment testing room maintained at 21°C (70°F) and 50% relative humidity. After conditioning, the test strips were peeled away from the test panel in an
• Loop Tack Loop tack measurements were made for samples cut to 25 x 204 mm (1 x 8 in) sized strips using stainless steel or glass as the substrate at a withdraw rate of about 305 mm/min (12 in/min), according to standard test 1994 TLMI Test L-IB2, TLMI Loop Tack Test, by the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute Inc. (TLMI), using an Instron Universal Tester Tester Model 4501 from Instron (Canton, MA). Loop tack values were taken to be the highest measured adhesion value observed during the test. All tests were conducted in triplicate. Room Temperature Shear (RTS)
• test strips were cut into 12 x 51 mm (1/2 x 2 in) test strips.
• the test strips were applied to brightly annealed, highly polished stainless steel test panels, where the typical size of the test panels was 50 x 75 mm (2 x 3 in), making a sample overlap of 12 x 12 mm (1/2 x 1/2 in) with the test panel.
• the sample portion on the test panel was rolled down using a 2 kg (4.5 lb.), 5.45 pli 65 shore "A" rubber-faced roller, rolling back and forth once, at a rate of 30 cm/min (12 in/min).
• test panels with the test strips on them were then placed at an angle 2° from the vertical, and a load of 500g was attached to the end of the test strips.
• the time in minutes for the sample to fail cohesively was measured by a timer.
• the plus sign after the shear values indicate that the samples were removed after that time and that the test was discontinued. All tests were conducted in triplicate. Failure Modes
• Adhesives made with the methods described herein were conditioned in a 50° oven for one week, and then tested for % gel, room temperature shear, and % edge lift.
• Example 1 Adhesives made with the methods described herein were conditioned in a 50° oven for one week, and then tested for % gel, room temperature shear, and % edge lift.
• a high MVTR, solvent-based acrylic polymer was prepared using the ingredients listed in Table 1, according to the following procedure: A polymerization reactor equipped with a heating jacket, nitrogen inlet valve, stirring mechanism, and reflux condenser was purged with nitrogen, the heating jacket was set to 80°C, and the initial solvent charge was added. The stirring mechanism was set to 125 RPM. A monomer mixture was weighed out and mixed for ten minutes. One hundred grams of the monomer mix were drawn off for the initial monomer charge, which was added to the reactor, and the contents of the reactor were heated to reflux. After kick-off (77-78°C) the batch was held for 15 minutes, with agitation.
• the monomer delay was set at 3.20g/min for 180 minutes, and the batch temperature was maintained at 76-80°C. After the monomer feed delay was complete, the reactor contents were held for one hour, with agitation. The first cook-off catalyst was then added, and the reactor was held for one hour, followed by the second cook-off catalyst, with an additional one hour hold. The third cook-off catalyst was added, with another one hour hold, and then a final charge of solvent was added, and the reactor contents were cooled and discharged. Following polymerization, the wet adhesive was coated on a siliconized release liner, dried at 70° for 15 minutes, and laminated to a facestock. A 1.5 to 2.0 mil thick Mylar®, facestock was used for peel, shear, and tack testing , while a 1.0 mil thick Medifilm 390TM facestock was used for MVTR and adhesive wear testing. Examples 2-6
• Example 1 Using the procedure described above for Example 1 , a set of high MVTR, solvent- based, acrylic polymers and adhesive laminates were prepared. Polymerization components for Examples 1-6 are listed in Table 1. In each of Examples 2, 4, 5, and 6, the jacket temperature, kick-off temperature, and batch temperature maintenance were the same as in Example 1. For Example 3, the jacket temperature was 85°C, kick-off temperature was 85°C, and the batch temperature during the monomer feed was maintained at 78-82°C. Comparative Example 1
• Example 1 The procedure described above for Example 1 was used to make a solvent-based, acrylic polymer and adhesive laminate as a comparative example. Polymerization components are listed in Table 1. The jacket temperature was set at 80°C, the kick-off temperature was 76-77°C, and the batch temperature was maintained at 72-80°C during the monomer delay.
• a solvent-based acrylic polymer according to European Patent No. EP 0 501 124 Bl was prepared, using the components listed in Table 2.
• each of a monomer mixture, initiator solution, and initial monomer charge were weighed out and mixed for ten minutes.
• the initial monomer charge was then added to the reactor and heated to reflux. After kick-off (82-84°C), the batch was held for 15 minutes, with agitation.
• An initiator delay was set for 0.22g/min.
• Example 1 The wet adhesive was coated on a siliconized release liner, dried at 70°C for 15 minutes, and laminated to a facestock, as in Example 1.
• Table 3 summarizes the polymer composition, MVTR values, and skin adhesion data or each of Examples 1-6 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.
• Table 4 summarizes adhesive performance (peel, shear, tack, and AAT)for different adhesives.
• Example 10 Five other copolymers were prepared by copolymerizing various monomers, using substantially the same polymerization protocol described in Example 1. Each of Examples 8 and 9 were made from 12, 55, and 33% by weight, respectively, of 2-EHA, BA, and HEA. Examples 10-12 were made from 12, 55, 30, and 3% by weight, respectively, of 2-EHA, BA, HEA, AND AA. The jacket temperature was set at 85°C in Example 10.
• Crosslinked adhesives were prepared by compounding an acrylic copolymer prepared as described above with 0.1% or 0.2% by weight of AAA (based on the dry weight of the polymer) as a crosslinker.
• a solution of 1 part by weight AAA, 3 parts 2,4-pentane diol, and 6 parts toluene was added to the wet adhesive, which was then coated on a release liner and laminated to a facestock.
• Crosslinking was carried out by drying the adhesive-coated facestock or release liner at 70°C for 15 minutes.
• Table 6 summarizes the effect of crosslinking and molecular weight on adhesive performance for Ex. 1, 2 and 8-12.
• Crosslinking with AAA also has no impact on the MVTR.
• the crosslinked samples have slightly higher edge lift, although it is still acceptable since it is lower than the 5% target.
• Crosslinking was also found to reduce the amount of adhesive residue left on the skin.
• the effect of gamma sterilization is shown in Table 7.
• Gamma irradiation causes crosslinking of the adhesive, as seen by an increase in gel content and an increase in room temperature shear performance. This results in higher edge lift during wear tests on skin.
• the crosslinking is more severe at higher doses, as seen by the increase in gel at 50kGy.
• Addition of N-vinyl pyrrolidone in the polymer composition helps reduce gel formation after sterilization.
• Antioxidants also help minimize the effect of sterilization. Even in the case of polymers made with acrylic acid, the effect of gamma irradiation on gel content is minimized if the molecular weight of the polymer is kept sufficiently low.
• Table 8 shows the effect of elevated temperature aging on gel, shear and edge lift.
• Example 3 containing N-vinyl pyrrolidone, exhibited a very small increase in gel and shear after elevated temperature aging.
• Example 2 containing no acrylic acid, exhibited an increase in shear; however, the % edge lift was still acceptably low.
• Example 4 containing acrylic acid and having a high molecular weight, exhibited a substantial increase in gel, shear, and adhesive edge lift after elevated temperature aging.
• Table 9 presents MVTR measurements for different adhesives, on two different facestocks, both initially and after 25 and 50 kGy gamma irradiation. Three different MVTR test methods were used.
• the Mocon test method yields MVTR values that are slightly higher than the values obtained with the upright cup method.
• the highest MVTR values are seen with the inverted cup method, where water is in direct contact with the sample.
• the table also shows that gamma sterilization has no effect on MVTR, and alternative facestocks, such as
• Pebax can be used to make high MVTR adhesive constructions.

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• Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)
• Adhesive Tapes (AREA)
• Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)

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